News

A Level results

MORE A-levels were handed the very highest grade this summer, but the overall pass rate fell for the first time in more than 30 years, official figures show.

In total, just over one in four (26%) of exams were awarded an A* or A grade, down 0.3 percentage points on last summer.

But the proportion of A* grades handed out rose to 8.2%, up 0.6 percentage points on 2013.

And the overall A*-E pass rate fell by 0.1% to 98% - the first time it has fallen in 32 years.

Boys have outdone girls at A* grade for the third year running, with 8.5% of boys' entries attaining the top mark, compared with 7.9% of the girls.

The latest results come amid major changes to the system, with January exams scrapped, leaving fewer opportunities for students to re-sit papers. All exams are now taken in the summer.

Schools have been warned that they could see changes to their results this year due to the overhaul.

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In Wales there were more A*, more A and more A*-B grades this year, although the number of entries was down 0.6 per cent

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CHEPSTOW School is celebrating improved A Level results for the 4th year running today. A third of grades were at A* and A and students achieved a 100% pass rate.

86 students sat A Level or equivalent qualifications.

31% of grades achieved were the top grades of A* or A.
26% achieved ABB or better, the universities’ indicator of top performing students.

58% achieved A* - B
81% achieved A*-C
100% A*-E

Two students have secured places at Oxford University. Rhiannon White is going to Pembroke College, to read experimental psychology. She secured grades of A*,A*,A, A . Tim Bonvoisin is going to St Peter’s College to read philosophy and theology. He achieved A,A,A.

Triplets Hannah, Will and Tom Leney are all off to Birmingham university.

Two more studnets, Sam Williams and Megan Davies, have secured very competitive places at the Royal Welsh College of Music.

Over 80% are progressing on to Higher Education, and all others have secured employment, apprenticeships or further training.

Melanie Thomas, Head of 6th Form, said: “These are superb results for a dedicated, diligent year group. During my first year at the school, I have been proud to witness our students' talents, hard work and tenacity, all of which have clearly paid dividends, shown not only in their excellent academic achievements, but also in the multitude of enrichment activities they have undertaken, ranging from charity events to the Duke of Edinburgh and Young Leaders projects. I have been proud to be their Head of 6th Form and wish them all the very best of luck for the future."

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FOURTEEN Year 11 pupils from West Monmouth School in Torfaen achieved AS Level ICT early, the school said.

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Across Wales, 97.5 per cent of A-level entries resulted in a pass; 75.2 per cent had a pass at grade A*- C; and 85.7 per cent of AS entries resulted in a pass.

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Relate Cymru has some top tips for coping with results day at fb.me/6ZUDQB6OQ

Llantarnam School had 98 per cent of pupils achieving two or more advanced qualifications. Torfaen council called the results "great".

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Monmouth Comprehensive had a pass rate of 99 per cent with 30 per cent of students achieving all A*-A

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Torfaen council has congratulated all students across the borough on today's A-level results.

In total, 98.4 per cent of pupils gained A*-E grades in Torfaen, slightly up from 98.3 per cent last year. This is above the Wales figure of 97.5 per cent.

The percentage of pupils achieving A*/A grades dipped to 16.1 per cent from 23.4 per cent last year. This is below the Wales figure of 23.3 per cent.

At AS-level, the percentage of pupils gaining A-E grades has dipped slightly to 88 per cent this year from 88.6 per cent last year. This is above the Wales figure of 85.7 per cent.

Councillor David Yeowell, executive member for children and young people, said:

"Educational achievement is so important in today’s world and these results will greatly help their prospects for the future.

"On behalf of the council, I would like to congratulate all the pupils on their results today and wish them well in their next venture."

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Torfaen: 98.4% A*-E grades, up from 98.3% last year and above Welsh average of 97.5%

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Torfaen: At AS-level, pass rate was 88% down from 88.6% last year but above Wales average 85.7%

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At Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools (HMSG), 52.6 per cent of girls achieved A* - A grades - more than double the national average of 26 per cent.

And at Monmouth School, the boys enjoyed their second best recorded percentage of 16.3 for A* grades.
Many students won their first choice places at university, with several heading to Oxford or Cambridge to fulfil their dreams.
Mrs Caroline Pascoe, Headmistress at HMSG, said: “I am so proud of the girls’ results today.
“Whether they achieved A*s or Bs and Cs, they all worked extremely hard and their dedication has paid off."

Over at Monmouth School, 43.4 per cent of boys were awarded A* - A grades, which is four per cent up on last year.
And 73.5 per cent achieved A* - B grades, up eight per cent on last year’s results.
One pupil, Devan Kuleindiren, achieved four A*s.
Dr Steven Connors, Headmaster, said: “This year we achieved our second highest percentage of A* grades which bucked the national trend.

Monmouth School head boy and GB rower Will England achieved four As.
He intends to take a gap year and is planning to apply for a rowing scholarship to university in America.

HMSG pupil Menna Rose was thrilled to receive an A* and two As and will study Psychology at Durham University after a gap year.

The sporty student, who has also excelled on the lacrosse pitch this year, winning her first full cap for Wales U19 last weekend, said: “I will work until Christmas and then I’m going to Ghana to work in an orphanage.

“I’ve always wanted to do it.
“Because I’m going to study Psychology it will be good for me to work with different types of people and help me to grow up a bit.
“I want to get out into the wide world.
“I worked really hard for the exams – I’ve never been so stressed in my life.”
She stands a chance of playing in the U19 lacrosse World Cup team next summer in Scotland.

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Head of sixth form at Fairwater High School Claire Agar said she was delighted by the school’s A Level results.
She said she was not totally certain at the time but believed the school had achieved 100 per cent pass rate at A Level.
“We have got lots of happy faces – it’s a lovely day”, she said. “We are really pleased.”
Some successful students included Amelia Cobner who gained an A*, two As and a C and will study English Literature at Swansea, Joe Taylor, who achieved an A and two Bs and will study Chemistry at Swansea and identical twins Hollie and Lydia Boxall who both got into their first choice universities.
With one A*, two As and a B Hollie will study Photography at Bath Spa while her sister Lydia will take up an offer to study Fashion Design at the University of South Wales, with two As and two Bs.
The twins’ mum Claire Boxall said: “They are absolutely over the moon. I’m very proud – I’m speechless, to be honest. They worked hard and their results are well deserved.”